THE CONTROVERSIAL EXPORT REGISTRY will not be an obstacle to trade between Egypt and the UK, said UK trade envoy to Egypt Jeffrey Donaldson, who is in Egypt to discuss signing a trade agreement to replace the previous Egyptian-European Union pact. Egypt, as any country, has the right to impose trade restrictions if it views such actions as necessary, he added, according to Al Borsa. Donaldson’s statements signal a divergence from the post-Brexit EU position on trade with Egypt: The outgoing head of the EU delegation to Egypt, James Moran, said earlier this month that the EU plans to continue to pressure Egypt to end the exporters registry. The UK will be bound by the Egyptian-European agreement until the UK’s formal exit from the EU takes place, added Donaldson at a meeting with the Egyptian-British Business Council focusing on investment opportunities in the Suez Canal.

Donaldson discussed lifting Britain’s flight ban on Sharm and its travel warnings on Egypt at a meeting with Tourism Minister Yehia Rashed. The two also discussed Egypt’s tourism promotion campaign in the UK and the need to improve the country’s image there, Al Shorouk reports. Donaldson is also said to have discussed investment with Prime Minister Sherif Ismail and International Cooperation Minister Sahar Nasr, according to AMAY.